Lisandro Lopez followed up his cup-winning goal at the weekend with a brace tonight as Champions League-chasing Lyon downed Valenciennes at Stade Gerland.
Lisandro, whose first-half strike earned Lyon victory over third division US Quevilly in the Coupe de France final on Saturday, struck in the 34th and 71st minutes, with Cris (68) and Jimmy Briand (87) also on the scoresheet for the hosts, who climb up to fourth above Rennes.
Valenciennes, who had equalised through Renaud Cohade's first-half equaliser, are still not safe from relegation, although they are six points clear of the relegation zone with three games remaining.
Lyon had the better of the early exchanges with Yoann Gourcuff firing just over and Alexandre Lacazette being denied by visiting goalkeeper Nicolas Penneteau before the hosts took the lead through Lisandro just after the half-hour.
Lacazette picked out Lisandro with a perfect ball to the far post and the Argentina international provided the finish on the half-volley.
Lyon's lead lasted barely three minutes though before Valenciennes drew level from the penalty spot, with Cohade sending Hugo Lloris the wrong way from the spot after Aly Cissokho had brought down Mathieu Dossevi inside the area.
Valenciennes then had two chances to go ahead after the break but Dossevi was denied by a good save from Lloris in the 55th minute, while four minutes later Mamadou Samassa headed just wide with Lloris beaten.
Those escapes seemed to spark Lyon back into life as within 12 minutes of Samassa's effort the hosts were 3-1 ahead.
Cris made it 2-1 with a header from Grenier Clement's free-kick, and Lisandro further increased his side's advantage with a clever finish, fooling Penneteau with a fake shot before firing into the roof of the net.
Penneteau denied Lyon a fourth goal in the 80th minute when he kept out an effort from Maxime Gonalons, but the visiting custodian was beaten again late on when he parried a Jeremy Pied shot straight to Briand, who slotted into an empty net.
